Golden Globe Awards nominees: What new TV shows made the cut?

Newcomers like “The Affair” and “Silicon Valley” made the cut for TV Golden Globe nominations, but some perennial favorites like “Mad Men” and “Modern Family” were left off the list of nominees this year. 

The nominees for the Golden Globes Best TV Series, Drama category included such awards-season favorites as “Game of Thrones,” “Downton Abbey,” CBS’s “The Good Wife,” and the series “House of Cards.” “The Affair,” which is currently airing its first season, made its first appearance on this list this year. However, previous nominees like “Homeland” and “Masters of Sex” did not make the list, nor did the perennial awards favorite “Mad Men” or  HBO's “Boardwalk Empire,” which recently ended its run.

For the Best TV Series, Comedy or Musical category, freshman show “Jane the Virgin” earned a nod, as did “Silicon Valley,” which aired its first season this past spring, and “Transparent,” which debuted this fall. The show “Orange Is the New Black” made its first appearance here and previous nominee “Girls” also made the list. However, last year’s winner, the show “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” did not earn a nod, nor did usual awards-season darling “Modern Family.”

The best actor in a drama series category also had a couple of new nominees – Clive Owen earned a nomination for his new show “The Knick” and Dominic West made the cut for “Affair.” “The Blacklist” actor James Spader made the list again, as did Liev Schreiber for the program “Ray Donovan” and Kevin Spacey for “House of Cards.” 

In the best actress in a drama TV series category, “Homeland” actress Claire Danes, Robin Wright of “House of Cards,” and “The Good Wife” actress Julianna Margulies all returned. Ruth Wilson of “The Affair” and Viola Davis of "How To Get Away With Murder” appeared on the list for the first time. “Orphan Black” actress Tatiana Maslany missed the cut this year, as did Kerry Washington of “Scandal.” 

For Best Actor in a TV Series, Musical or Comedy, Louis C.K. of “Louie” and Don Cheadle of “House of Lies” returned to the category, and William H. Macy of “Shameless” as well as “Derek” actor Ricky Gervais appeared for the first time. Jeffrey Tambor of “Transparent” also was nominated for his work on the Amazon video show for the first time. Andy Samberg, last year’s winner, was not nominated – nor was usual awards favorite Jim Parsons of “The Big Bang Theory.”

The Best Actress in a TV Series, Musical or Comedy category included reappearances by “Girls” actress Lena Dunham, Julia Louis-Dreyfus of “Veep,” and Edie Falco of “Nurse Jackie.” “Jane the Virgin” actress Gina Rodriguez made the cut for the first time, as did Taylor Schilling of “Orange Is the New Black” (though she was nominated before for Best Actress in a TV Series, Drama when “Orange” was still entered as a drama). Last year’s winner, “Parks and Recreation” actress Amy Poehler, was not nominated, nor was previous nominee Zooey Deschanel of “New Girl.” 

For the Golden Globes, the supporting categories are combined so anyone in a comedy or drama miniseries, TV show, or TV movie can qualify. For best supporting actor, Alan Cumming of “The Good Wife” appeared for the first time, as did Matt Bomer for “The Normal Heart,” Colin Hanks for “Fargo,” and Bill Murray for “Olive Kitteridge.” Jon Voight for “Ray Donovan” was the sole previous nominee.

Meanwhile, for best supporting actress, Uzo Aduba appeared for the first time for “Orange Is the New Black” (though she previously won a Golden Globe for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series), as did Kathy Bates for “American Horror Story: Freak Show,” Michelle Monaghan for “True Detective,” “Downton Abbey” actress Joanne Froggatt, and Allison Janney for “Mom.” Previous winner Jessica Lange of “American Horror Story” was not nominated.

The Golden Globes will air on Jan. 11.